Slob hunters kill “record-breaking” shark for no reason at all
April 21st, 2007 by admin
We often hear hunters claim to be conservationists; their actions tell a different story.
The most recent example of this was on Wednesday in the waters off of Destin when a boat of men spotted a large mako shark. They got close enough to hook the 12-foot, 1000+ pound animal, and after being stabbed with several gaffs, the shark finally “bled out” (died). Capt. Jason Hallmark told the Destin Log that it was “the most exciting day of fishing I’ve ever had.” It was also one of the most senseless.
Shark numbers are in decline in Florida waters. By killing one of the strongest members of the local shark population, they weakened the population as a whole. Whether it’s a deer with large antlers, or a larger-than-normal fish, hunters can’t resist killing “trophy” animals.
In comments posted on the website of the Northwest Florida Daily News, Sean Van Sommeran of the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation called the killing a “wasted opportunity” and added, “Too bad the vessel couldn’t have simply laid off and filmed/documented the event and this splendid beast. We have plenty of images of large dead sharks.”